Mental Health Specialist

About the Job

We are seeking a highly skilled and compassionate Mental Health Specialist to join our team at Prairie Mountain Health.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will provide mental health services to residents of Prairie Mountain Health, working in both community and facility settings. They will be part of an interdisciplinary team, providing a range of services to clients and their families, and acting as the primary counsellor and/or case manager for newly referred clients and those with long-term service needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with clients and families to build trusting therapeutic relationships, develop case formulations, intervention plans, and services.
• Collect and review initial clinical and psychosocial information, gather collateral information, and incorporate it into initial screening and assessment.
• Assess strengths, skills, capacities, resource needs, and readiness in relation to the client's primary goals and recovery plan.
• Develop case formulations and assist clients to establish service requirements and plans.
• Conduct risk evaluations for self-harm, violence, and deterioration of mental status, and intervene in crisis situations.
• Provide mental health counselling as indicated using recognized evidence-based counselling models and methodologies with clients and families.
• Perform an intake role as assigned.
• In collaboration with the client, identify service conditions required to ensure that fundamental human needs are met, and assist to establish effective linkages to resources, agencies, and service providers, advocating when required.
• Respect and value cultural healing practices in collaboration with the client, family, and cultural practitioners.
• Participate with related health providers and allied social service staff to assist with case management planning as it relates to mental health issues.
• Conduct a standard mental status examination, a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, a Co-Occurring Disorder (COD) screening, a Suicide Assessment (SAG), and other age-related assessments as required.
• Provide assessment information, diagnostic impressions, and treatment recommendations to other health service providers following PHIA and FIPPA requirements.
• Assist the client to attain and maintain optimal mental and physical health.
• Engage family as important contributors to care planning as defined and chosen by the client, providing emotional support and education to family members within the following of privacy legislation.
• Ensure that the individual or community receives appropriate and effective service, including crisis planning and intervention for safety and protection.
• Collaborate with family members, other agencies, organizations, and individuals from hospital and community to facilitate a well-coordinated, recovery-oriented service system for clients with chosen follow-up systems.
• Provide follow-up services and monitoring of mental health status as required.
• Provide individual, group, and public education to promote awareness of mental health problems, mental illness, mental wellness, and resiliency.
• In collaboration with the client, coordinate comprehensive care planning meetings that may involve family, multiple disciplines, agencies, and programs to ensure communication among all parties.
• Document assessments, interventions, and results/recommendations in an approved format in accordance with professional and regional standards.
• Advocate for service improvement, mobilizing existing services, and/or creating new services.
• Coordinate admissions, discharge planning, closures, or transfers with other mental health services within Prairie Mountain Health, other regions, community agencies, and/or informal supports.
• Practice in accordance with legislation relevant to community health practice, such as the Mental Health Act, Public Guardian and Trustee legislation, Vulnerable Persons Act, Child Welfare Act, Personal Health Information Act, etc.
• Provide collaborative case management as mandated for clients with orders with the Criminal Review Board, delegated authority under the Public Trustee, or through a Service Purchase Agreement.
• Understand group dynamics and effectively use facilitation skills to support group development and delivery.
• Supervise/orientate in collaboration with the Proctor Supervisor and Managers, Mental Health Proctors, Activity Instructors, and Community Support Workers as applicable.
• Provide orientation, supervision, and evaluation of new staff, students, and physicians/medical residents as appropriate.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate Degree in Psychiatric Nursing or Social Work; other combinations of related professional education and experience may be considered.
• Current registration/licensure in good standing with applicable college.
• Current certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
• Current certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
• Two years full-time equivalent professional experience in an approved Mental Health Care setting in the past five years; other combinations of related experience may be considered.
• Province of Manitoba Class 5 Driver's License, or equivalent from the province of residence, and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within Prairie Mountain Health.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current mental health trends, leading practices, and the Mental Health Act and other related legislation.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented practice and Co-Occurring Disorder (COD) principles.
• Demonstrated expertise in emergency/crisis situations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and aptitude for working with the specified client population and setting, including evidence-informed interventions.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with clients, co-workers, interdisciplinary teams, community agencies, and stakeholders.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development to maintain skills and knowledge.
• Depending on department staffing and service requirements at the time of the vacancy, preference may be given to a specific gender or academic designation in accordance with the definitions for a CMHW.
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology.
• Demonstrated leadership.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize in a changing environment.
• Strong organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to display independent judgment.
• Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population.
• Ability to respect and promote confidentiality.
• Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis.

Salary: $65,000 - $85,000 per year

Location: Prairie Mountain Health

About Us:

Prairie Mountain Health is a dynamic and growing organization dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare services to the people of Manitoba. We are committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, and we are seeking talented and motivated individuals to join our team.